“
You should fire me,” she blurted out.
He glanced up from the piece of paper, that slight frown still on his face. “What?”
She twisted her hands in front of her. “You should fire me. I made a mess of the ordering system. For a second time. I mean, what kind of an idiot messes up something that simple?”
“Sunny, you’re being too hard on yourself,” he stated, putting the paper down and studying her intently. “Come here.”
She shook her head. Then she wrapped her arms around herself. “You shouldn’t keep employing me just because we’re. . .ah. . .we’re friends.”
His frown deepened; his puzzlement clear. “We’re not friends.”
Ouch. That hurt.
“Right. Right.” She nodded. “We’re neighbors.”
He narrowed his gaze. “We’re a damn sight more than neighbors, Sunshine River. Now get your ass here. Right the fuck now.”
She still shook her head, standing her ground. What was she doing?
“This isn’t about the order,” he stated.
“Yes, it is. I’m a fuckup. . .” she trailed off. Whoops. She hadn’t meant to say that.
“You’re a what?” he asked in a low voice.
She just shook her head.
“Right. We need a chat. Because it seems there are a few things you’re keeping from me. I’m going to give you until the count of three to get your ass around my desk or I’m going to come and get you. And, little rebel, you will not like it if I have to come get you.”
That dark note sent a shiver of longing up her spine. She wanted the protection of a Daddy, the cuddles, the love. However, it also seemed she enjoyed having boundaries, being dominated. Taken in hand.
“One.” He stared at her. She fidgeted, not knowing exactly why she wasn’t moving.
“Two.” Did she want him to come for her? Seemed so. Because she wanted a punishment? Maybe.
“Three.” Oops. Time was up. And as he rose, regret settled in her gut. His face was easily read in that moment. And the man was not happy. At all.
“Wait, I’m coming,” she said hastily.
“Too late, little rebel.” He stalked around the desk.
Maybe she’d best get back to work. She stepped towards the door. “I think I’m needed out front. Madden’s next client is probably—” she squealed as he picked her up and carried her to the sofa. “Duke!”
“Nope,” he told her gruffly then he sat on the sofa with her on his lap. Face-up, thankfully. He held her as she fought to get free. “Settle down, little rebel. Before I settle you down.”
“And how are you going to do that!”
He leaned in, brushing his mouth against her ear. Another shiver raced through her. For an entirely different reason. Her clit throbbed. “You really want to know how I’d stop this budding tantrum?”
“It’s not a tantrum.”
“That’s exactly what it is. Somehow, we went from discussing the mucked-up order to you calling yourself names, claiming I should fire you, which is ridiculous, and then calling yourself my friend and neighbor.”
She stiffened. “I’m sorry you don’t want to be my friend.”
“Sunny, we’re a damn lot more than just friends. At least I thought we were. Was I wrong?” He stared down at her, his anger gone and confusion in its place.